'National Night Out' events take place across Bay Area

Organizers believe "National Night Out" provides neighbors with a chance to get to know one another. And they say that's a key step toward reducing crime and helping people feel safe in and around their homes. More than 600 blocks hosted parties in Oakland alone.

Showdown over SJPD funding at 'National Night Out'

San Jose voters will not get to decide on any of three proposed sales tax increases this November, including one that would have raised more money for the city's downsized police department.

Backers say the special tax would have raised $34 million annually for public safety, if voters had approved it.

A showdown over police funding happened Tuesday night in the shadow of the annual "National Night Out."

The idea is for neighbors to organize block parties as a way of getting to know each other and band together against crime.

The event in East San Jose, at the Mayfair Community Center, is one of the larger "National Night Out" events. Families in attendance watched traditional dancers, listened to music, played games, and ate together.

Still, the larger goal is to get to know one another and build stronger communities as a way to fight crime.

But crime stats are climbing and there are fewer police officers on the streets now versus 10 years ago. That was a hot topic at the event. Residents are frustrated that things have changed in the city, and not for the better.

"The police officers aren't around, and they're not responding as much," said Joe Nieto with the Plato Arroyo Neighborhood Association. "They can't, there aren't enough of them."

"It's not safe for our kids at all," said resident Aaron Hernandez. "I wish they'd have programs like this more often to get kids off the streets, off gangs, drugs, period.

People at the event told ABC7 News that they would have been willing to pay for more police if the public safety sales tax measure had passed through council and come before voters in Nov